Most everyone is aware of HBO’s conversion of the popular video game The Last Of Us, but most don’t realize that there’s another recent show that puts a grown man on the road with a teen girl, who’s also a Game of Thrones alum.

The Last of Us I never played the video game that inspired this series (or any other video game for that matter), so I’m approaching it strictly as a story about a man (Pedro Pascal) who’s escorting a teen (Bella Ramsey, most familiar as Lyanna on Game of Thrones). In a typical apocalyptic angle, she’s seems to be immune to the fungus that’s turning most of the population into zombies, so he must get her to a place where they can create a vaccine. These creatures are different from the typical Walking Dead variety in origination, but they still cause bloody mayhem. Surprisingly, they take a back seat in some of the episodes. Sure, the specter of their surprise appearance is always looming, but there are long periods where they don’t appear. The focus is more on the bond between the duo than on their survival (and in some side trips, other relationship combos). Pascal maintains steely determination, while offering glimpses of vulnerability and Ramsey charmingly embodies a spunky teen. If you look past the game’s influence and the zombies, this is a compelling look at survival and human connection. (Review based on 7 out of 9 eps). (4 / 5)

HBO Max link

Upright Two misfits with messy lives end up on the road together. He (Tim Minchin, who co-created) is trying to get to his dying mother with his old piano in tow (literally). She (Milly Alcock, best known as Princess Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon) has run away from her dad to find her mom. They meet in the Australian desert and have a series of slightly comic misadventures. Minchin’s musical abilities play nicely into his character’s performance (with some nice dramatic moments too), while Alcock nails the surly, unpredictable teen. Their adventures truly are that…sometimes somewhat dangerous and almost always reckless, but that contributes to the fun. The chemistry between the unlikely duo works and the ever-complex situations provide an entertaining trip. (Review based on Season 1 with 2 now available) (3.5 / 5)

Amc+ link